Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Finland Apologizes to Japan, China and South Korea as Finns Party Reprimands MPs in 'Slanted Eyes' Controversy

Diplomatic pressure followed a viral Miss Finland photo that triggered commercial damage.

Overview

  • Prime Minister Petteri Orpo issued formal apologies via Finnish embassies in Tokyo, Beijing and Seoul, saying the posts do not reflect Finland’s values and pledging to combat racism.
  • The Finns Party parliamentary group reprimanded MPs Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew over their eye‑pulling photos and said such images should not have been published.
  • Japan’s government sought an appropriate response from Helsinki after the MPs’ posts, underscoring the diplomatic sensitivity of the incident.
  • The Miss Finland Organisation revoked Sarah Dzafce’s title over the offensive post, and first runner‑up Tara Lehtonen has been named the new Miss Finland.
  • Finnair reported boycott calls and brand damage on its Asian social channels, and Finnish media reported some cultural collaborations in Japan were paused.